In 2012 technology entrepreneur Rakesh Shukla bought agricultural land, in the second driest part of the country. The district fell under the Eastern Dry Zone of Karnataka where, at the time, rainfall was sparse and temperatures went as high as 42 degrees in summers. Consequently, the landscape was rocky and arid with no topsoil whatsoever.
This is where a lush green forest stands today with diverse native flora such as Peepal, Jamun, Gulmohar, Badam, Neem, Mango, Arjuna, Indian Cherry, Pongame Oil tree and Guava trees. Flowering trees including, Rosy Trumpet, Gulmohar, Copperpod, Jacaranda, African Tulip provide a habitat and foraging ground for a variety of pollinators such as bees and insects.
So, how exactly did a barren plot of land come alive with thousands of trees in less than ten years? The ride was definitely bumpy but ultimately dreams were fulfilled and goals were met. Let’s find out how.
After purchasing the plot 11 years ago, Rakesh was trying to figure out as to what he should do with the land; but then, a fateful event occurred…Cookie came into his life.
Rakesh met Cookie, an abandoned paralysed Saint Bernard, at a time when every vet in town was of the opinion that she be put down. But Rakesh saw the light in Cookie’s large eyes and brought her home.
Unfortunately, Cookie’s doctors had failed to detect a deadly infection spreading in her uterus and left it untreated; in the end she succumbed to pyometra and septicemia leaving Rakesh agonized over the loss.
Separation from the beloved dog overwhelmed him in ways hitherto unimagined. In one such grief-laden moment, Rakesh had an epiphany, what if there was a way to immortalize Cookie? Why not grow a forest in her memory? Thus the first tree Rakesh planted on his plot was a Banyan tree in Cookie’s name. As he started planting more trees the first question to confront him was – how would trees flourish in one the driest parts of the country? Right off the bat, Rakesh started strategizing ways to sustainably manage the scarce water resource. Rain-water harvesting methods that include collecting, storing, conveying and purifying runoff for subsequent reuse were promptly deployed.
Firstly, a 100-year-old stepwell, which already existed on the plot, was rejuvenated by the team and was used to store rainwater. Then, a large reservoir was dug up to collect runaway water from a nearby hill, and another sump was built to treat blackwater. The amassed rainwater was used for domestic and drinking purposes; and the saplings were irrigated with purified gray and sewage water.
Since there was enough water to meet the daily needs at the farm, more saplings were planted and surplus water was used to nurture them. A conscious decision was made to plant trees native to the region because: they have better chances of survival, can withstand local weather conditions, require less water, and are drought resistant. Moreover, native plants offer ideal habitat to a variety of micro and macro fauna.
On some parts of the land, Rakesh’s team utilized the Miyawaki approach for afforestation that enables trees to grow ten times faster.The method entails growing several native plant species, with the average density of 3 saplings per square metre.
Unfortunately, very poor rainfall was witnessed in 2018; the following year all plantation initiatives came to screeching halt as Karnataka experienced a full-blown drought. The land was parched, the well and ponds dried out completely; there was no water left to run the sanctuary. Rakesh had to resort to buying thousands liters of water each day for several months to keep things going.
A lasting solution was the need of the hour; although there was only a 40% chance of striking water in this region, Rakesh decided to dig a borewell. The gamble paid off and in one golden moment water came gushing out from the depth of 1,600 feet.
Then, in a very favourable turn of events, rains came, ending three years of dry spell. The drought years taught everyone the real value of water, so steps were taken to preserve every drop. The sanctuary staff became very discreet with usage; ponds were concretised to prevent horizontal seepage and evaporation; and the stepwell was desilted and cleaned over three months.
Once again tree plantation work was resumed. Even this time around, only slow-growing indigenous trees, which were better adapted to local climatic conditions, were handpicked and reared.
As the trees grew bigger and wider, various species of wildlife, insects and birds slowly began making inroads into the land. Peacocks, Bonnet Macaques, Catfish, Jezebel Butterflies, Honey Bees, Antlions, Assassin Bugs, Peninsular Rock Agama and avians such as the Indian White Eye, Cattle Egret, Red-vented Bulbul, Chestnut Headed Bee Eater, White Browed Wagtail, Common Hoopoe, all made homes in the enormous forest. Today, as many as 30 species of birds, amphibians, reptiles, rodents and insects live and thrive at this biodiverse ecological zone.
“Sadly, exotic trees like ‘the Eucalyptus’ are being grown in these areas for economic reasons. They have no ecological benefits and are degrading habitats and depleting groundwater. We only planted the local varieties and ours is the only green patch with endemic species in the whole area,” said Rakesh.
The forest cover has brought with it multiple bounties, the first of them being the rising of the groundwater table, from 1600 feet to 680 feet. The vast network of interwoven tree roots has prevented the soil from eroding, and the mulch from the dead leaves and cow dung has improved the quality of topsoil thereby further promoting plant growth.
“I wanted life and beauty to flourish on our farm. I dreamed of my dogs and I living the quiet life of ascetics in a dense, calm forest. The dream did come true; it took ten years but despite all odds, today, we live in a forest and have a perennial supply of water.”
Everyone at the sanctuary has grown to love the trees here, humans and dogs alike; and Rakesh is fiercely protective of them, “No live trees have ever been chopped down on our farm so far. All newer dog enclosures have been designed to safeguard the existing trees”.
Watch the full video here: https://youtu.be/wNK0amaeL5Y?si=3gbMA8wgxiABUpQn
